Manure-distributer.



No. 817,704. y PATENTBD APR. '10, 19'06..

` s. H.GARST.

MANURB DISTRIBUTBR.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 19, v1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET'Z. mq Si s' By Anw No. 817,704. PATENTED APRJO, 1906. S. H. GARST. MANURE DISTRIBUTER.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

n l1 'ik r WIT/masas J/V'VENTOR TEPHEN' H' 20g/f, uw

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PATENTEDAPR. 1o. 1906.

S.. H. GARST. MANURE DISTRIBUTER. APPLIOATIOI' vIILEI) JAN` 19, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.-

` UNrrD'SflAl-ES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN Il. GARST, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN HARROIV COMPANY, OF DETROIT,

MICHIGAN.

MICI'IIGAN, A CORPORATION OF l MANURE-DISTRIBUTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 10, i906.

Application filed 'January 19, 1905. Serial No. 241,827.

ons, being more particularly designed for use in the distribution of manure; and-the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal se'etion thereof. qFig. 3 is an end elevation, partially broken away to more clearly show the parts. Fig. 4 is a plan View. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a cross-section through the clip `for securing the axle to the bolster, the section being on line 6 6 of Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an elevation of Fig. Fig. S is a section through the hub of one of the `ground-wheels. 'F 9 is a front elevation of the trip mechanism. Fig. l0 is a side elevation-thereof. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section illustrating the normal position of the false bottom in relation to the bottom of the wagon-box.

The distributer comprises a wagon-body of any suitable proportions, preferably provided with sides A and a bottoni B, This body is mounted upon a forward truekC, provided with the usual iifth-wheel or turntable D, and at the rearupon a truck E, one or both of the wheels of which are the drivers for the mechanism. The end board for the forward end of the wagon is formed by a traveling follower F, and at the rear end of the bod is ay revoluble distributing-wheel G, to whic the material is fed by the movement of the follower. This wheel is ,composed of a series of rotating rakes or tined bars a, which are mounted upon heads secured to a shaft c, the latter being journaled inbrackets d, secured toand projecting upward on the side sillslB. These side sills arev arranged upon opposite sides of the bottom B and are crosseonnected at their forward end by an end sill B2, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

Arranged above the bottom B of the body supported and which isadapted to ltravel wit the follower F to feed the mater1al to H is preferably formed of a series` of parallel 'chains or flexible connectionsyand a series of cross-bars secured to said chains. All or a portion of these chains e are drivers and chains are drivers, and intermediate these hereinafterdescribed. At the forward end the follower F, and when the latter is'in'its', normal position at the front of the wagolfvin body these chains extend rearward the `Efull length of the bottom -B and are cross-conextend about the sprockets I and are then connected to return-chains h, whichexte'nd sills B. g tion, so as to take up the slack in the chains, and to this end is secured to threaded rods or bolts y', which pass through the front sill B2 and are provided with'clamping-nuts j. The bottom B falls short of the full length of the shaft K may be adjusted.

With the construction above described it shaft l and sprocketsl will cause thefalse bottom H to travel over the bottom B, carrying the follower-F with it, while that por-l` `tion of saidv false bottom which is fed about the sprockets is returned beneath the bottom B to the forward endof the wa on. To relieve the friction caused by the s iding of the false bottom over the bottom B, l preferably form the latter of a series of longitudinallyextending boards lc, `between which are secured thin metallic bars c, projecting upward above the face of the boards k. These is a false bottom H, upon which the load is.,l metallic bars, c form tracks upon which the sprocket -chains are a suHicient number of,.- l sup orting-chains f to sustain the rmtteri'a` l-. wit inthe wagon-bodyand lift the sarr'ley from contact with the bottom B, as willbe.

nected at short intervals by the bars g, pref' erably angle-bars. The sprocket-chains'also beneath the guide-roller J beneath the re'ar axle, thence forwardA and about the sheaves fivon the shaft K, near the forward end of the. This shaft K is adjustable in posit` sills B, so as to leave a space between its fo'rward end and the cross-sill B2 invwhichthe` the distributing-wheel G. This false bottom ,6o adapted-to engage with sprockets I,'.which are mounted upon a shaft I', journaled in'- bearings at the rear end of the wagon-bottom.' In the construction shown only threeV x" of .the chains e and'f they are connected toiwill be understood that the rotation of ,the

IOO

chain out of engagement with the sprocket cross-bars g of the false bottom rest and over which they are adapted to travel. When the false bottom is in its normal position and ata rest, there will be sufficient slack in the chains e and j to permit them to loop downward between the cross-bars g, as illustrated in Fig.

11, the center of the loops resting u on the bottom B. When, however, the fa se bottom is in movement, the tension placed u on the chains will straighten them out, so t at they will lift the material deposited thereon clear of the bottomB'and maintain this clearance durin the feeding movement. The

bars K pre erably brid e the s ace between the bottom B and end si-l B2 to raceA the latter. The false bottoni when returned vbeneath the bottom B is suspended by the chains c and j; but 'near the forward end of the vWagon a rack L is arranged to support the chains and cross-bars, so as to clear the wheels of the forward truck in the turning of the wagon. This rack L extends only a suflicient distance rearward to hold the false bottom from contact with'the truck-wheels and is formed by a series of bars Z, extending from airont bolster M to a cross-bar Z, which bar is provided with curved portions or skids Z2 for guiding the false bottoni thereon.

The front bolster M is apertured for the passage of the chains h and is preferably formed of a series of superposed bars, as illustrated in Fig. 5. The lower bar m extends for only a portion of the distance between the sides of the body and'is connected with a top plate of the circle D, The bar m extends completely across beneath the bottom B, and above this are a series of bars m2, which are spaced to form therebetween the recesses m3, t rough which the chains pass. The holsters are securely attached to the bottom B an( sills B by metallic brace-baisant. y

For imparting. movement to the distributing-Wheel G an( the false bottoni H and follower F a drive mechanism is provided, which receives its motion from sprocketwheclC, secured to one of the ground-wheels of the rear truck. This s rocket is connected to sprocket c2 on the shaft c by means of chain '95, stub-shaft c, bearing-sprockets 'y and y', and chain x. The distributing- 'wheel G is mounted on the shaft c, and rotary .movement isthus imparted to said Wheel in the direction indicated by the arrow. The chain passes over an idler :c2 and sprocket r3, iounted in a pivoted rod z, connected by a rod e to a sector-leverzz, whereby the rod z may be adjusted from the seat to raisey the C when the distributing-wheel is not desired to be rotated.v This is clearly shown in iii 2 and will not be further described, as it is not intended to 'be claimed in this application. From this lshaft c motion is also corn- .::viunicated to the false bot-tom and follower .by mechanism ofthe following construction:

the shaft I. c will cause .the crank n to reciprocate the pitermee 'at one end and at its oppositevend pivotally connected to a rock-lever N. O and O are reciprocatory rods, which are pivotally connected to a lever N on opposite sides of the fulcrum thereof, and at their opposite ends are attached to rock-arms P, carrying double pawls P for engaging ratchet-wheels Q on Thus therotation of the shaft man N, rocking the lever N and oppositely reciprocating the rods O and O, 'so as to cause them to alternately actuate the shaft l through the medium of the rock-arms P, pawls P, 'and ratchet-wheels Q.

To change the feed or speed of travel in;- parted to the false bottom H, the pivotal ccnnections between the rods N, O, and O and the rock-lever N are adjusted. This adjustment is preferably effected by alever R, fulcrumed upon the Wagon-body adjacent to the drivers seat, said lever being connected from a rod R. with a crank R2, adjacent to the lever N. To this crank R2 the rods O and 0 are attached through the medium of links o and o. These links support said rods and determine the position of the pivotal connection between said'rods and the lever N which connection is slidable along said lever. pivotal connection to the pitman N is also slidable upon the lever N', and it is adjusted through the medium of a rack j), engaging a pinion p", which is in mesh with a gear-segment p2, attached to the crank The arrangement is such that by the adjustment of the lever R- the crank R2 is turned so as either The lOO

to adjust the pivotal connections for the rods G and O', toward the-center or fulcrum of the lever N or to adjust them away from sald n fulcrum. The same movement will cause the gear-segment pZ transmitting its movenient through the pinion p to the rack p to slide the pivotal cc nnoction to the rodN upon the lever N', this movement beingin the opposite direction in relation to the fulcrum of the lever from the movement simultaneously imparted to the pivo of the rods O It will be understoodfrom the 'description above given that by suitably adjusting the lever R any desired change of speed may be imparted to the shaft l, which drives the false bottom, and it willbefurther observed that in this adjustment the opposite movement imparted to the pivots for the' pitman and for the rods O and Owill cause a quick' adjustment and throughs large range.

In the feeding of the false bottom the crossbars g will pass successively off from the bars if and around the sprockets l". in the reverse movement-i.- c., Where the falsebottom is returned to normal position-these cross-bars must mount upon the bars 7c', and to avoid catching the end portions q .of the' bars l" are inclined downward, las illustrated rio - The forward 'and return movements of theI ro falsebttom are both effected through the same mechanism by simply reversing the double pawls P. For the feeding movementi. e., where the false bottom and follower are moving rearward to fit the material to the distributing-Wheel-the pawls Pi are properly adjusted by hand;but the reversal of these pawls is automatically accomplished upon the completion of the rearward movement of the follower F through the fcllowing 2o mechanism: 7' isa catch or projection from the chains f and preferably of bifurcated form.

s is a rock-shaft which is connected by a rockarm s' and red s2 with a hook s3. 'lhis hook normally engages a spring-bar s, but is re- ,leased therefrom by the rocking of the shaft '8; so as to permit said .spring-bar to strike against projecting arns ton the p'awls P', .thereby rocking the pawls and changing the direction of their feed. The'rock-shaft s has secured thereto a dependingI rock-arm u, which has. afpivotal extension u', which is provided with a'.T-shaped head u2, extending inte the path ,-f the bifurcated catch r.'

4 Thus when said catch comes into engagement with the head u? it will rock the ar'm u and shaft s and cause aA reversal of theA pawls,

-as above described. In the opposite move- `ment of the chain the pivotal-extension u' will permit the head u2 to ride over the cross- 40 bars without catching thereon.

When the wagon is being loaded and dur.

ing its travel at all times, excepting when the load is being distributed, it is desirable to hold the material from contact with the distributing wheel G. In the construction shown this is accomplished by a curved fork or tined gate S. The tines of this gate are secured to a rock-shaft S', which is secured in bearings at the end of the'sills B'. The gate may beadjusted into either position of1 adjustment illustrated, respectively, in full and ldotted lines of Fig. 2. In the latter' position the tines are arranged to clear the ends of the tines ay on the distributing-wheel G, thereby holding the material within the wagon-body from Contact with said wheel.l l/Vhen adjusted into the position shown in `full lines, the tines S are arranged between theftinescb .of the distributing-whe5l, permittingithe lat-` ter to engage with the material and throw it over the wheel. The amount 'of material distributed by the-wheel can, however, be v aried h v adjusting the curved tines S, so as Lto limit the length ofthe exposed ortin of the tines (lf The' shaft S' and gate a'readjusted .erable weight is brought to bear up'onthe axle with the tendency to slightly bow.the same. It has been found in prac-tice that this deflection of the axle is sullicient to cause an unequal pressure in the bearings in thehubs of the ground-Wheels, with the effect that the edges of said' hubs are frequently chipped, and the consequent vibrations thereof cause the hubs to be broken out. To avoid this, l have constructed a hub 'l on the ground-wheels, as illustrated in Fig. 8, in

which end portions of the hub are. slightlyv chamfered at T', so as to relieve thepressure at the extreme. end. Tins construction prevents the chipping of the edge of the hub, as the chamfmied portion, which is not subjected to pressure, reinforces the bearing portion.

'lhe front axle. is preferably formed as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, Vin which the shaft or axle proper, ll, is secured in bearings U', whicharev fastened byelips U2 t?) the bolster or truss portion fm of the axle. The bear-ings U' are. also connectml by U-shaped clips-U4, which extend transversely through the bearings and project forward to form an eye for the engagement of the tongue connection.

' 'lo clear the bottom from material falling vthrough the. false bottom between the chains,

scrapers W are attached to the follower between the tracks K', as sl1ownjin-I4`ig."2.

'What I Iclaim as my invention isl. In a distrilmting-wagon, the con'ibination with the box, 'provided with abotto'm, of a traveling f also bottom and means whereby portions of said bottom are permitted to rest upon the wagon-bottom when stationary and are lifted to clea'rthe same during the feeding movement. i

2. In a distributing-wagon, the combination-with the box, provided with a bottom, of a false bottom'comprising closely-arranged flexible longitudinal members and spaced an-` (fle-iron cross-bars and' means for feeding said false bottom during the distribution of the load` 3. .In a distributing-wagon, the combination with the box provided with a bottom, of a falsebottom comprising closely-arranged longitudinal chains or vflexible connections and spaced angle-iron cross-bars and separated bars projecting upward from said bottom forming supporting-tracks for said false bottom, withiwhich the cross-bars thereof engage and holdthe chains clear of said bottom.

4. In a distributing-wa on, the combination with the box, provider with a bottom, of `separated bars arrangdon edge and projectin y above said bottom extending longitudina ly thereof and a false bottom comprising IOO . said stationary bottom, comprising orosslongitudinal chains and connecting crossbars, said ordss-bars resting. upon said traclis and said e'hains looping between said crossbars when said false bottoin'is stationary 'and' being straightened to clear said bottom dur- 'tact with said wheel.

6. In a 'distributing-Wagon, the combination with a frame comprising side sills and a forward end sill, a bottom extending between said side sills, terminating to leave a space ,etween the same andsaid end sill, a false bottom arranged to travel over said bottom, chains for actuating said false bottom, idlerwheels around which said chains pass at the forward end of said frame, a shaft on which said idler-wheels are mounted arranged in the space between said bottom and end sill, and supporting-rods for said shaft, adjustably engaging said end sill and forming the means for taking up the slack in said chains.

7. In' a distributing-wagon, the combination with a bod7 and a vmovable bottom therefor, of a truck, a bolster for supporting said bod)T upon said truck, comprising the cross-bars m, m', the separated bars mz upon `the bar m, leaving' the spaces m3 therebetween, for the purpose described.

8. In a distributing-wagon, the combination with thebody having a stationary bottom7 of a false bottom adapted to travel over bars and the longitudinal chains, a sprocket for actuating saidfalse bottom, a reversible drive connection for said sprocket, and a trip for reversing said driveoonnection, comprislng the rook-arm u, the pivotalextension u stint-oe closely arranged longitudinally extending i chains and cross-bars, of a drive-shaft at the rear endof said box, sprocket thereon for en=` anfing said chains, to feed rearward and toy retllirn said ialse bottom, and guides for sa1d chains preventm the sagging thereof, adja- ,Cent to said Sproc et in the 'return feed move- "ment.

10. In a distributing-wagon, the combination with 4the wagon-box eomprising sides and bottom, said bottom'being composed of a plurality of longitudinally-extending boards, and track-bars arranged between said boards and projecting upward above the same, of a false bottom formed principally of iiexible members bearing widely-spaced angle-iron cross-bars.

1.1. In a distributing-wagon, the comb iation with a frame comprising side sills and a forward end sill, a bottom extending between said side sills, terminating to leave' a space between the same and said end sill, a false bottom arranged to travelv over said bottom, chains foractuating said false bottom, idler-wheels around which said chains pass at the forward end of saidraine, a shaft on which said idler-wheels are mounted, ar-

ranged inthe spaoe between said bottom and end sill, supporting-rods for said shaft adjustably engaging said end sill and formino ,the means 'for taking up the slack in sai chains, and tracks over which said false bottom travels 'secured Vto said bottom and bridging the space between the same and said end sill to brace the latter.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

STEPHEN n; Garter.-

Witnesses:-

C. L. READ, J. F. SHEEN. 

